SpaceX Falcon 9 has launched the UK military’s first Earth-imaging satellite. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the satellite, called Tyche, would support military operations as well as monitor environmental disasters, develop mapping information, and track the impacts of climate change around the world.

The Tyche satellite was designed and built in the UK under a £22m contract awarded to Surrey Satellites Technology Limited (SSTL). It is the first satellite to be wholly owned by the MoD. The MoD said the war in Ukraine had shown that the use of space was “crucial” to military operations.

Within hours of liftoff, SSTL received the first signals from Tyche, confirming its successful launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter 11 mission.

Maria Eagle, minister for defense procurement and industry, said: “Tyche will provide essential intelligence for military operations as well as supporting wider tasks across government.

“Tyche also shows the UK’s commitment to supporting innovation in science and technology, stimulating growth across the sector and supporting highly-skilled jobs in the UK.”

UK Space Commander Major General Paul Tedman said: “Tyche represents the first of a future constellation of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance satellites that we’ll launch over the coming years.”

Defense equipment and support space team leader Paul Russell said: “To see Tyche – the first of a new generation of UK military capabilities – delivered into orbit is an incredibly proud moment and a tribute to everyone’s commitment to this key project.”

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